Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-01-26
Washington Gossip.


The bill which has passed the House and
is now in the Senate, granting pensions of Sl2
per month to all soldiers who are incapaci
tated from the performance of labor in such
support, and who are dependent upon their
daily labor tor support, is almost certain to
pass the Senate. and more than likely will
have passed before this is in print. The bill
also provides that parents who are now de-
pendent shall receive a pension of like
amount. Hitherto it has been necessary to
prove that dependency existed at the time of
the death of the son This will be no longer
required. 1t is not believed that the Pres-
dent ill dare to interpose his veto. Thous-
ands of sick soldiers who for years have been
wrestling with a pension off in vain en-
deavor to secure pension, will now have no
trouble, for under the proposed law it is i'm
meteral whether the disability occurred in
the service or since discharge. Nor will the
cause of the disability be que STONED beyond
proving that it is not the result of the soldiers
own vicious habits or gross careessness.
Those who are now receiving smaller
pension will be entitled, upon proof of the
disability above mentioned, to receive the
amount allowed by this act. Pension agents
in new cases, will be allowed to charge a fee
of only So.
The proceedings under the commission de
inqulrendo fundfico to determine the mental
coud ton of the wife of Prof 5 F. Emmons
of the Geological Survey. have been of the
spiciest kind. The court room has been
crowded to its utmost capacity by an audi
ence largely composed of ladies. The feminine
portion appeared to sympathize with the vi
vacious Mrs. Emmons, and they did not hes
itate to show their approval or disapproval of
the evidence as it was developed by applause
or misses. Mrs. Emmons, it is said, ia ma
tive Of Houlton. She is very pretty, with
keen black eyes, and a bright, intelligent
countenance. She gave her testimony in a
manner highly dramatical, with alternate
tears and laughter. She was exceedingly
nervous. The slammng of door while
she was speaking caused her to give a shrek,
but she quickly recovered herself. At one
time when she was asked an irritating ques-
ton by the opposing counsel she gave no re-
ply, but turned to her own counsel and in a
low, but significant tone, inquired: "Please
tell me how to spell damn" Several of the
most eminent physicians in the city have tes-
titled, some that she was insane, and others
that she was not. The general opinion is
that she is sane but very eccentric.
The charges of the Woman's Christian
Temperance Union of this city against the
which were presented TO the Senate on FRI
day. have created decided sensation. The
charges were an impeachment of public
morals at the national capital which the SEN
ate will not ignore. The blame for it is laid
at the door of the Commissioners who. it is
claimed in open violation of law, have per-
mitted and protected gambling hels, pool
rooms and drinking establishments, as we'll
as dens of prostitution, immortality and vice.
Ever since the appointment of the new Com
missioners by Mr.. Cleveland, the affairs of
the District have been badly managed
Crime and drunkenness have increased; the
streets are dirty; the money for improvements
has been spent in localities where high off
cials were large property owners. The Pres
ident has been as unfortunate in his selection
of persons to fill District offices as he has beer
in his appointments throughout the country
The next Senate will contain twenty ex-
rebel soldiers while it is probable that there
will be only four Union soldiers, and we are
certain of only three. This is a remarkable
state of affairs. What does it indicate? Is
the south more devoted to those who risked
their lives for their, to them, sacred cause
than the north to its brave sons? Is its
gratitude deeper and more enduring than that
which fills the hearts of those who were loyal
and their descendants, during the war. Is
the cause which was lost upon the battlefield
TO win in the forum?
If there are any exUnion soldiers in the
country who have supported the democratic
party, their ewes will probably be opened at
the refusal of the House of Representatives
to grant pension to the widow of neral
Logan. The democratic members of the
committee doubtless knew that the President
would veto the bill if passed. They were
aware hat such an act on his part would be
ruinou, 10 the democratic party, and so they
chose the lesser of two evils, and smothered